Today, Thursday Gras marks the beginning one of the most intense weeks of our calendar. The Carnival mobilizes thousands of local residents immersed in a festivity that has many faces. The parades, l'Arribo, xatonades, dances at the social clubs or acts recently introduced (or recovered), and the Race of costumed beds, make the Carnival a festivity capable of admitting many interpretations and visions.
And this is one of the main treasures of our Carnival. For some residents of Sitges, the Carnival revolves around the parades in which they have labored diligently with their groups, others spent months in anxious anticipation designing the final appearance of the Carnival King and Queen; others have been excited during the last few days for the upcoming xatonadas of Thursday Gras, and others will live the Carnival experience as mere spectators in a middle ground between complicity and pungency. The plurality of such profiles makes our Carnival a very rich festivity packed with different nuances, solid principles and with a dynamic expression. It is no accident that the website of the daily La Vanguardia placed the Carnival of Sitges among the 10 in the world.
The Carnival of 2013 is here to confirm the good measures implemented last year at parades. A year ago, many questioned the need to advance the schedule of parades. A year later, this measure has been accepted as good and necessary by the different sectors involved in the festivity: groups, social clubs, law enforcement, organization and public. Thanks to the new schedule, today our Carnival is a carnival for everyone. This was well understood by the Department of Home Affairs of the Generalitat, headed by Minister Espadaler, which has renovated a full support in the deployment of the Mossos d'Esquadra, a totally essential requirement.
However, experiences always bring results, reviews and suggestions. This year, accepting the opinion of most social clubs and groups, the parades will return to Cap de la Vila once they have made the whole journey, and such a feat will mark the end of the journey. A successful organization will make it possible and the desire of people make it advisable.
I would emphasize the role-quiet and discreet, of many people that work intensively so the Carnival of Sitges enjoys a good reputation, presence and category. The "carrossaires", gang bosses, social club commissions, Carnival Commission, security and protection, the owners and employees of businesses that offer a high quality image and service, the, sponsors ... without them none of this would be possible.
Thank you all for placing our Carnival among the 10 best in the world. Enjoy it with respect for everyone.
